The conclusion to Saturday afternoon’s game between the B.C. Lions and Toronto Argonauts was unlike any other at Empire Field this season.
The fans gave the Lions a rousing send-off after they handily beat the Argos 36-17 before a crowd of 22,703. As the Lions exited the field and walked up a ramp to their makeshift dressing room, fans gave them high-fives and loud ovations.
As he opened the door to the trailer that serves as a temporary dressing room, B.C. coach Wally Buono angrily looked for late arrivals to the post-game meeting. But, after witnessing the throng of fans giving Sanchez and Simon their due, Buono was not complaining.
“(The win) means a lot to the guys, but also it means a lot to our fans,” said Buono. “We’ve disappointed our fans for about four or five weeks now. To win a game like this at home with some excitement and some big plays obviously helps our players but also helps our fans, which is important.”
The Lions (3-7) posted their second straight victory after seven consecutive losses. Unlike during his other post-game scrums at Empire this season, Buono stood and answered questions in daylight following their first home win. All of his other sessions were after losses at night.
The scene was symbolic, because the darkness on B.C.’s dismal season is lifting. But as the overcast sky above Buono also symbolized, clouds still lurk on the Lions’ ability to salvage a playoff spot in either of the Canadian Football League's two divisions.
“It’s an indication that we’re getting better,” said Buono of the upswing. “I don’t want to downplay anything, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement. There’s still a lot of room for correction. The thing is, we’re going in the right direction.”
Quarterback Casey Printers and rookie running backs Jerome Messam and Yonus Davis kept the Lions going the right way in the air and along the ground. Printers threw for two touchdowns as he completed 25 of 39 passes for 302 yards.
“We’re trying to make the playoffs, and this is a great win for us,” said Printers.
Messam ran for two short-yardage touchdowns on eight carries and also caught a pair of passes in what he called his best game as a pro.
“I definitely feel like it’s my breakout game,” said Messam, who helped B.C. overcome an early 8-0 deficit. “(Jamal Robertson) went down with his rib injury (suffered in a game against Montreal) and I got an opportunity and came in and tried to do my best to help the team win.”
Davis scampered for 52 yards on 13 carries and also caught a four-yard touchdown pass. He left the Argos lunging in vain at his slippery moves as he repeatedly helped the Lions get into the red zone and then the end zone.
Messam praised the patch-work offensive line for opening holes.
You never would have known B.C. surrendered eight sacks, because Printers had much more time than in previous games to do his work. One of his finest plays came as he turned around and threw to Davis as he stood all alone just over the goal line.
Printers picked up his first regular-season win since re-joining the Lions late last season while they were dealing with injuries to three quarterbacks.
“I thought, overall, he made some great plays,” said Buono. “He made some great throws. The game is going to get better and slower, because you have to, maybe, at times slow down.
“This is Casey. He’s an excitable guy … With time, with more games under his belt, with more comfort with the protection … That’s a very good team out there. They got into it. They got after us pretty good and yet we scored … 37 points.”
Meanwhile, B.C.’s defence racked up six sacks and defensive back Korey Banks continued his fine play with a fumble recovery. But the Lions’ best fumble recovery came early in the fourth quarter after Toronto defensive end Ron Flemon took a loose ball away from Pinters, romped untouched toward the end zone and then dropped it just before crossing the goal line.
Rookie B.C. receiver Steve Black pounced on it and the Lions preserved a 34-15 lead.
"It just slipped out of my hands," Flemons said dejectedly. "I was just trying to reposition it because it was in my left hand.
"I felt awful because it could have been a big momentum-changing play. It happens. You just move on."
Buono and Simon said the Lions would not have caught such a break earlier in the season.
“They made some mistakes and we capitalized on those,” said Simon, who caught seven passes for 133 yards. “That’s the sign of a good team, when you capitalize on the other team’s mistakes.”
The veteran receiver, who moved into fifth place among all-time B.C. receivers, was full of praise for his club after often accusing it of causing its own demise earlier in the campaign.
“We’re starting to come together as a team and you’re seeing that the talent is starting to show,” said Simon. “We feel good about the direction we’re going in.”
NOTES: Black caught B.C.’s other touchdown pass while Paul McCallum booted three field goals … The Argos (5-5) lost top running back Corey Boyd to a concussion as they suffered their third straight loss … B.C.’s Rolly Lumbala, playing his first game back with the Lions after being cut by the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, was dominant on special teams as he made a number of tackles ... B.C. lost recently-signed defensive end Jeremy Geathers to a knee injury that is expected to keep him out for an extended period ... The Lions are still trying to woo defensive lineman Ricky Foley back to the fold after he was cut by the NFL's Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Stamps prevail as B.C. offence fizzles until late in second half
For 2 1/2 quarters, the B.C. Lions had a quarterback and a defensive secondary that they could almost count on. But then Calgary running back Jon Cornish, a native of the Vancouver suburb of New Westminster, bolted for a 51-yard gain to set up the decisive touchdown as the Stampeders handily beat the B.C. Lions 48-35. The Lions suffered their seventh straight CFL loss as they dropped to 1-7 while the Stampeders improved to 7-1. Calgary coach John Hufnagel claimed his ninth straight win over B.C. boss Wally Buono, who mentored him while he was in Calgary. “I think we played well in all three phases (offence, defence and special teams),” said Hufnagel.
Despite some rust and inconsistency after missing four games, quarterback Casey Printers kept the score close and the defensive backs provided three interceptions in the first half, two by rookie Stanley Franks and one by veteran Dante Marsh. Franks' picks did not produce any points, but Marsh set up a one-yard touchdown run by Jamal Robertson late in the first half to draw the Lions within four points at 24-20. But receiver Arjei Franklin's three-yard touchdown on a reverse running play after Cornish's big gain early in the third quarter, which put the Stamps ahead 34-20, erased any doubt. The quick turning point spoiled an improved offensive effort, strong defensive play and excellent punt and kick-off returns by rookie Yonus Davis, who repeatedly gave the Lions good field position, although he fumbled a missed field goal that led to Calgary’s first touchdown.
"We were able to overcome some adversity,” said Calgary quarterback Henry Burris, who threw two touchdown passes and ran for another. “Some things happened, it's nothing to worry about. We will get those things right. We will get better."
Burris has now thrown a league-leading 12 interceptions. Hufnagel praised Marsh for making a great play, but the coach was not willing to give Burris the benefit of the doubt on Franks’ picks until he had seen the video.
“I think Henry Burris is a professional,” said Hufnagel. “He won the game. That’s all I ask him to do.”
“We had a few turnovers, but we were able to persevere and put points on the board,” said Calgary running back Joffrey Reynolds.
Printers impressed at times in the early going, despite completing just six of 14 passes in the first half, when he also plunged in for a touchdown. But he fizzled in the third and fourth quarters, resulting in a tired B.C. defence that was kept on the field way too long. As a result, backup Calgary quarterback Drew Tate provided two insurance touchdowns that the Stamps wound up needing as he plunged for one major and threw 19 yards to Ken Yon Rambo for another.
"I don't think we played to the highest of our ability," said Rambo, who made two touchdown catches. "We still have to be better yet."
Printers made the score more respectable as connected with Emmanuel Arceneaux for a late 54-yard touchdown that was a gift as a Calgary defensive back missed an easy tackle. Then B.C. backup Travis Lulay connected with Geroy Simon on a 38-yard TD and a successful two-point conversion attempt to make the score closer than it should have been.
“We looked good at times and at times we didn’t execute like we should have,” said Printers.
He felt there were plenty of reasons for optimism. But Simon, one of the better Lions on the night, was less than impressed.
“We still have a long season left but it’s getting shorter and shorter every week,” said Simon. “I don’t know when we as a team are going to say we are tired of losing, we’re tired of mistakes. We played Calgary, but the B.C. Lions beat B.C. again.”NOTE: Darius Passmore was wheeled off the field on a stretcher and taken to hospital after colliding with a sign on Calgary's sideline. Both Stamps and Lions training and medical staff attended to Passmore, who lunged for a pass that went incomplete. Passmore gave cheering fans the thumbs-up sign as he was taken to an ambulance … The Stamps lost receiver Romby Bryant after he was upended by Davis Sanchez in the third quarter.
Despite some rust and inconsistency after missing four games, quarterback Casey Printers kept the score close and the defensive backs provided three interceptions in the first half, two by rookie Stanley Franks and one by veteran Dante Marsh. Franks' picks did not produce any points, but Marsh set up a one-yard touchdown run by Jamal Robertson late in the first half to draw the Lions within four points at 24-20. But receiver Arjei Franklin's three-yard touchdown on a reverse running play after Cornish's big gain early in the third quarter, which put the Stamps ahead 34-20, erased any doubt. The quick turning point spoiled an improved offensive effort, strong defensive play and excellent punt and kick-off returns by rookie Yonus Davis, who repeatedly gave the Lions good field position, although he fumbled a missed field goal that led to Calgary’s first touchdown.
"We were able to overcome some adversity,” said Calgary quarterback Henry Burris, who threw two touchdown passes and ran for another. “Some things happened, it's nothing to worry about. We will get those things right. We will get better."
Burris has now thrown a league-leading 12 interceptions. Hufnagel praised Marsh for making a great play, but the coach was not willing to give Burris the benefit of the doubt on Franks’ picks until he had seen the video.
“I think Henry Burris is a professional,” said Hufnagel. “He won the game. That’s all I ask him to do.”
“We had a few turnovers, but we were able to persevere and put points on the board,” said Calgary running back Joffrey Reynolds.
Printers impressed at times in the early going, despite completing just six of 14 passes in the first half, when he also plunged in for a touchdown. But he fizzled in the third and fourth quarters, resulting in a tired B.C. defence that was kept on the field way too long. As a result, backup Calgary quarterback Drew Tate provided two insurance touchdowns that the Stamps wound up needing as he plunged for one major and threw 19 yards to Ken Yon Rambo for another.
"I don't think we played to the highest of our ability," said Rambo, who made two touchdown catches. "We still have to be better yet."
Printers made the score more respectable as connected with Emmanuel Arceneaux for a late 54-yard touchdown that was a gift as a Calgary defensive back missed an easy tackle. Then B.C. backup Travis Lulay connected with Geroy Simon on a 38-yard TD and a successful two-point conversion attempt to make the score closer than it should have been.
“We looked good at times and at times we didn’t execute like we should have,” said Printers.
He felt there were plenty of reasons for optimism. But Simon, one of the better Lions on the night, was less than impressed.
“We still have a long season left but it’s getting shorter and shorter every week,” said Simon. “I don’t know when we as a team are going to say we are tired of losing, we’re tired of mistakes. We played Calgary, but the B.C. Lions beat B.C. again.”NOTE: Darius Passmore was wheeled off the field on a stretcher and taken to hospital after colliding with a sign on Calgary's sideline. Both Stamps and Lions training and medical staff attended to Passmore, who lunged for a pass that went incomplete. Passmore gave cheering fans the thumbs-up sign as he was taken to an ambulance … The Stamps lost receiver Romby Bryant after he was upended by Davis Sanchez in the third quarter.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Buono continues search for the right quarterback
Wally Buono finds himself in an unusual position, but the same old questions persist about the B.C. Lions' quarterbacking.
For the first time in his career, the Canadian Football League's all-time winningest coach finds his team 1-5 after Saturday's 27-22 loss to the visiting Calgary Stampeders at Empire Field.
All but one of the losses have been close, but late breakdowns and inconsistent quarterbacking continue to cause difficulties.
“If you were getting blown out every week and you weren’t even in the game every week, I guess it would maybe be not so confusing,” said Buono. “But when you look at what goes on at times, you’re very encouraged. At other times, you just shake your head.”
Especially with the quarterbacks.
Starter Travis Lulay looked strong at times and weak at others, notably when he threw a third-quarter interception that Dwight Anderson returned to the B.C. 10-yard line, setting up Ryan Thelwell's game-winning touchdown.
"Obviously, it's disappointing," said Lulay, who completed 15 of 28 passes for 159 yards. "You're trying to win the football game. It seems we had a little bit of momentum there after a defensive turnover and, obviously, that kind of died and we gave them a short field."
Lulay's interception spelled the end of his night.
Jarious Jackson took over and struggled while impressing at times. He completed eight of 17 passes for 99 yards in his first serious game action since last September. He spent training camp, the preseason and the early part of the regular season recuperating from off-season shoulder surgery to repair rotator cuff damage.
“When the balls are high, you can tell right away that he’s struggling,” said Buono, explaining his decision to pull Lulay. “Jarious had a good week … His quick release was good, but other times you can see why he’s still not 100 per cent.”
Now, with a short week before a game in Regina against the powerhouse Saskatchewan Roughriders, Buono has to decide whether to go back to the sophomore Lulay or gamble on Jarious Jackson or nominal starter Casey Printers, who has dressed as the third-stringer the past three games due to a sore knee.
“If the medical staff clears (Printers) to play, then we’ll have to consider it,” said Buono. “But if they don’t, I think there’s way too much at stake. Between Jarious (Jackson) and Travis (Lulay), we should find one that’s ready to go.”
"We're not going to quit," said Lulay. "It's still early in the season. Obviously, we're in a little bit of a whole ... All we can do is fight and give ourselves a chance to win."
After Buono suffered his eighth straight loss to his former Calgary understudy John Hufnagel, questions arose about the Lions' mental toughness. Receiver Paris Jackson said the Lions have to change their mentality and make sure that losing does not become contagious, although with five straight losses, it might already be.
But, noting that the Leos kept fighting back, Buono insisted his players are mentally tough. He does not plan to make major changes as the changes as he rebuilding club tries to get in position for a playoff spot.
“It’s gonna test our character,” said Buono. “It’s gonna test my character. This is not something I’m enjoying. But I don’t believe that there’s a divine right for winning. I’ve always felt that each week, each win, is tough, and I think my experience and my past are going to keep the waters calm and keep the ship going in the right direction."
That task will be easier if he can find the right quarterback to take the helm.
For the first time in his career, the Canadian Football League's all-time winningest coach finds his team 1-5 after Saturday's 27-22 loss to the visiting Calgary Stampeders at Empire Field.
All but one of the losses have been close, but late breakdowns and inconsistent quarterbacking continue to cause difficulties.
“If you were getting blown out every week and you weren’t even in the game every week, I guess it would maybe be not so confusing,” said Buono. “But when you look at what goes on at times, you’re very encouraged. At other times, you just shake your head.”
Especially with the quarterbacks.
Starter Travis Lulay looked strong at times and weak at others, notably when he threw a third-quarter interception that Dwight Anderson returned to the B.C. 10-yard line, setting up Ryan Thelwell's game-winning touchdown.
"Obviously, it's disappointing," said Lulay, who completed 15 of 28 passes for 159 yards. "You're trying to win the football game. It seems we had a little bit of momentum there after a defensive turnover and, obviously, that kind of died and we gave them a short field."
Lulay's interception spelled the end of his night.
Jarious Jackson took over and struggled while impressing at times. He completed eight of 17 passes for 99 yards in his first serious game action since last September. He spent training camp, the preseason and the early part of the regular season recuperating from off-season shoulder surgery to repair rotator cuff damage.
“When the balls are high, you can tell right away that he’s struggling,” said Buono, explaining his decision to pull Lulay. “Jarious had a good week … His quick release was good, but other times you can see why he’s still not 100 per cent.”
Now, with a short week before a game in Regina against the powerhouse Saskatchewan Roughriders, Buono has to decide whether to go back to the sophomore Lulay or gamble on Jarious Jackson or nominal starter Casey Printers, who has dressed as the third-stringer the past three games due to a sore knee.
“If the medical staff clears (Printers) to play, then we’ll have to consider it,” said Buono. “But if they don’t, I think there’s way too much at stake. Between Jarious (Jackson) and Travis (Lulay), we should find one that’s ready to go.”
"We're not going to quit," said Lulay. "It's still early in the season. Obviously, we're in a little bit of a whole ... All we can do is fight and give ourselves a chance to win."
After Buono suffered his eighth straight loss to his former Calgary understudy John Hufnagel, questions arose about the Lions' mental toughness. Receiver Paris Jackson said the Lions have to change their mentality and make sure that losing does not become contagious, although with five straight losses, it might already be.
But, noting that the Leos kept fighting back, Buono insisted his players are mentally tough. He does not plan to make major changes as the changes as he rebuilding club tries to get in position for a playoff spot.
“It’s gonna test our character,” said Buono. “It’s gonna test my character. This is not something I’m enjoying. But I don’t believe that there’s a divine right for winning. I’ve always felt that each week, each win, is tough, and I think my experience and my past are going to keep the waters calm and keep the ship going in the right direction."
That task will be easier if he can find the right quarterback to take the helm.
Defence struggles as Lions lose fifth straight
For a change, it was the defence that let the B.C. Lions down Saturday night.
But the offence also contributed to a 27-22 loss to the Calgary Stampeders at Empire Field.
The Stamps improved to 5-1 while the Lions dropped to 1-5 after suffering their fifth consecutive loss.
With the B.C. defensive line failing to mount consistent pressure, veteran Calgary quarterback Henry Burris took advantage of a secondary that hurt itself by taking untimely penalties.
The telling blows came late in the third quarter as Calgary linebacker Dwight Anderson intercepted a deflected Travis Lulay pass and ran the ball back to the B.C. 10-yard-line. The pick came two plays after Lions rookie defensive back Stanley Franks had intercepted Burris.
Franks, who has been victimized a few times this season, was then the goat as he blew coverage on Ryan Thelwell in the end zone and Burris tossed an easy touchdown strike from the 10. The major gave the Stampeders an insurmountable 27-16 lead.
“We’ve gotta get a (defensive) turnover or two,” said Lions coach Wally Buono. “We got one, it would have been nice to get one or two more.”
Lulay, starting his third straight game in place of the injured Casey Printers (knee), fared well against a relentless Calgary pass rush, but struggled to get the Lions into the end zone. Jarious Jackson, seeing his first action of the season in relief of Lulay in the fourth quarter, could not do much.
Still the game might have gone a different way if Calgary coach John Hufnagel had not won an appeal of an apparent Paris Jackson catch that would have given B.C. the ball on the Calgary 27-yard-line. Although the replay indicated the ball contacted the ground, Jackson had arm firmly wrapped around it when he turned over.
The Lions caught a break when Deon Murphy fumbled a Paul McCallum punt in the late going. But Jarious Jackson threw an interception to nullify the Lions' victory hopes.
"That's the one I wish I could have had back," said Jarious Jackson, who felt he threw the ball well at times.
B.C. did manage a late major by Jamal Robertson -- his second of the game -- in the final minute after a Calgary pass interference penalty in the end zone gave B.C. the ball on Calgary's one-yard line.
But Lions failed to make good on the two-point conversion attempt as Jarious Jackson's pass intended for Paris Jackson went incomplete.
The loss spoiled a stellar effort by Paris Jackson, who made a number of tough catches, and a total of six for 76 hard-earned yards, while absorbing bone-rattling hits that left him shaken up a couple of times.
"It felt good, but at the same time, we didn't win," said Paris Jackson. "It doesn't matter how many catches I get, how many yards I get. The whole thing is about touchdowns ... and making sure we walk off that field with a W and winning."
But the offence also contributed to a 27-22 loss to the Calgary Stampeders at Empire Field.
The Stamps improved to 5-1 while the Lions dropped to 1-5 after suffering their fifth consecutive loss.
With the B.C. defensive line failing to mount consistent pressure, veteran Calgary quarterback Henry Burris took advantage of a secondary that hurt itself by taking untimely penalties.
The telling blows came late in the third quarter as Calgary linebacker Dwight Anderson intercepted a deflected Travis Lulay pass and ran the ball back to the B.C. 10-yard-line. The pick came two plays after Lions rookie defensive back Stanley Franks had intercepted Burris.
Franks, who has been victimized a few times this season, was then the goat as he blew coverage on Ryan Thelwell in the end zone and Burris tossed an easy touchdown strike from the 10. The major gave the Stampeders an insurmountable 27-16 lead.
“We’ve gotta get a (defensive) turnover or two,” said Lions coach Wally Buono. “We got one, it would have been nice to get one or two more.”
Lulay, starting his third straight game in place of the injured Casey Printers (knee), fared well against a relentless Calgary pass rush, but struggled to get the Lions into the end zone. Jarious Jackson, seeing his first action of the season in relief of Lulay in the fourth quarter, could not do much.
Still the game might have gone a different way if Calgary coach John Hufnagel had not won an appeal of an apparent Paris Jackson catch that would have given B.C. the ball on the Calgary 27-yard-line. Although the replay indicated the ball contacted the ground, Jackson had arm firmly wrapped around it when he turned over.
The Lions caught a break when Deon Murphy fumbled a Paul McCallum punt in the late going. But Jarious Jackson threw an interception to nullify the Lions' victory hopes.
"That's the one I wish I could have had back," said Jarious Jackson, who felt he threw the ball well at times.
B.C. did manage a late major by Jamal Robertson -- his second of the game -- in the final minute after a Calgary pass interference penalty in the end zone gave B.C. the ball on Calgary's one-yard line.
But Lions failed to make good on the two-point conversion attempt as Jarious Jackson's pass intended for Paris Jackson went incomplete.
The loss spoiled a stellar effort by Paris Jackson, who made a number of tough catches, and a total of six for 76 hard-earned yards, while absorbing bone-rattling hits that left him shaken up a couple of times.
"It felt good, but at the same time, we didn't win," said Paris Jackson. "It doesn't matter how many catches I get, how many yards I get. The whole thing is about touchdowns ... and making sure we walk off that field with a W and winning."
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Check out my new Twitter page
I've just launched a new Twitter page -- Stewart On Sports.
Watch for links to sports articles that I write for this blog as well as The Canadian Press, NHL.Fanhouse.com, Insurance West Magazine and other publications.
The articles will include blogs, game stories and features on NHL, WHL, CFL and other athletes.
Click on the link to check out the Twitter page: www.twitter.com/StewartOnSports.
Watch for links to sports articles that I write for this blog as well as The Canadian Press, NHL.Fanhouse.com, Insurance West Magazine and other publications.
The articles will include blogs, game stories and features on NHL, WHL, CFL and other athletes.
Click on the link to check out the Twitter page: www.twitter.com/StewartOnSports.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Printers frustrates fans again as Lions lose
Casey Printers tormented more than 27,000 B.C. Lions fans on Friday night.
The B.C. quarterback performed brilliantly at times and dreadfully at others as the Lions fell 16-12 to the Montreal Alouettes at Empire Field.
“It was a game that we coulda won, shoulda won let get away,” said B.C. coach Wally Buono, whose team is now 1-2 on the season. “We had opportunities to get points on the board and we didn’t do that.”
Late in the second quarter, Printers looked like the quarterback who was chosen the Canadian Football League’s outstanding player in 2004 as he rallied the Lions from a 6-2 deficit to a 9-6 advantage. With two Montreal defensive lineman running straight at him, he connected with Jamal Robertson on a screen pass for a 14-yard touchdown.
He also took charge in the third quarter as the Lions built a 12-6 lead on a Paul McCallum field goal. But in the final 10 minutes, he suffered a meltdown, overthrowing and underthrowing open receivers as Montreal’s Damon Duval booted three field goals and a punt single to put the Als ahead.
The Lions’ shoddy fourth quarter spoiled a strong effort from a rookie-laden defensive backfield and a rebuilt D-line.
“There was a lot of concern about five rookies on defence,” said Buono. “They didn’t cave. There was a lot of concern about our offensive line, and I thought overall they did a good job.”
But with the game on the line in the closing minutes, Printers tossed three straight incomplete passes, one to Emanuel Arcenaux and pair to O’Neil Wilson. The B.C. quarterback caught a break as Montreal was called for pass interference on second attempt to Wilson, putting the ball on the B.C. 48-yard line.
On the very next play, Printers threw the ball behind Paris Jackson and Montreal defensive back Jerald Brown hauled it in to preserve the victory.
“There was miscommunication with the receivers,” said Buono. “You can’t put the onus just on the quarterback and you just can’t put the onus on the receivers. That’s a part of working together and making sure that … the receiver has an option. The quarterback has to see the same thing. Tonight, too often, that wasn’t the case.”
As a result, the Lions lost a regular season game at home to Montreal for the first time in 10 years – while holding one of the league’s best offences without a touchdown.
Printers completed 20 of 40 passes for a modest 253 yards and the lone touchdown while also tossing two interceptions.
“Everybody played their tails off, and it’s just too bad we came up short,” said Printers.
It might have been a different story if Robertson had not fumbled in the third quarter to set up Duval’s game-tying field goal early in the fourth. But the bottom line is that Printers had to be better.
Fortunately, he did not use a quadriceps injury suffered against Saskatchewan on Saturday as an excuse, noting it slowed him down at times but was fine at others. But he also could have accepted more responsibility for his mistakes.
“You’ve gotta watch the field,” said Printers. “It’s tough to sit back and say what we coulda did and what we shoulda did … It’s just a growing process and we’ll get it together.”
Sooner rather than later.
The B.C. quarterback performed brilliantly at times and dreadfully at others as the Lions fell 16-12 to the Montreal Alouettes at Empire Field.
“It was a game that we coulda won, shoulda won let get away,” said B.C. coach Wally Buono, whose team is now 1-2 on the season. “We had opportunities to get points on the board and we didn’t do that.”
Late in the second quarter, Printers looked like the quarterback who was chosen the Canadian Football League’s outstanding player in 2004 as he rallied the Lions from a 6-2 deficit to a 9-6 advantage. With two Montreal defensive lineman running straight at him, he connected with Jamal Robertson on a screen pass for a 14-yard touchdown.
He also took charge in the third quarter as the Lions built a 12-6 lead on a Paul McCallum field goal. But in the final 10 minutes, he suffered a meltdown, overthrowing and underthrowing open receivers as Montreal’s Damon Duval booted three field goals and a punt single to put the Als ahead.
The Lions’ shoddy fourth quarter spoiled a strong effort from a rookie-laden defensive backfield and a rebuilt D-line.
“There was a lot of concern about five rookies on defence,” said Buono. “They didn’t cave. There was a lot of concern about our offensive line, and I thought overall they did a good job.”
But with the game on the line in the closing minutes, Printers tossed three straight incomplete passes, one to Emanuel Arcenaux and pair to O’Neil Wilson. The B.C. quarterback caught a break as Montreal was called for pass interference on second attempt to Wilson, putting the ball on the B.C. 48-yard line.
On the very next play, Printers threw the ball behind Paris Jackson and Montreal defensive back Jerald Brown hauled it in to preserve the victory.
“There was miscommunication with the receivers,” said Buono. “You can’t put the onus just on the quarterback and you just can’t put the onus on the receivers. That’s a part of working together and making sure that … the receiver has an option. The quarterback has to see the same thing. Tonight, too often, that wasn’t the case.”
As a result, the Lions lost a regular season game at home to Montreal for the first time in 10 years – while holding one of the league’s best offences without a touchdown.
Printers completed 20 of 40 passes for a modest 253 yards and the lone touchdown while also tossing two interceptions.
“Everybody played their tails off, and it’s just too bad we came up short,” said Printers.
It might have been a different story if Robertson had not fumbled in the third quarter to set up Duval’s game-tying field goal early in the fourth. But the bottom line is that Printers had to be better.
Fortunately, he did not use a quadriceps injury suffered against Saskatchewan on Saturday as an excuse, noting it slowed him down at times but was fine at others. But he also could have accepted more responsibility for his mistakes.
“You’ve gotta watch the field,” said Printers. “It’s tough to sit back and say what we coulda did and what we shoulda did … It’s just a growing process and we’ll get it together.”
Sooner rather than later.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Lulay says he'll be ready to play if Printers can't go
The 2010 CFL season has barely begun, but the B.C. Lions already have questions about their quarterbacks.
Casey Printers’ playing status is in doubt after he was sidelined with a quadrcips injury with 22 seconds left in the first half as the Lions lost their home opener 37-18 to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Printers said he injured his quad just before he was by Brent Hawkins.
“We’ll see,” said Printers when asked if he could play Friday against the Montreal Alouettes. “I just can’t give you a solid answer right now. Something weird kind of popped. It’s just kind of frustrating.”
Printers completed 10 of 14 passes and threaded a 32-yard touchdown pass between two defenders to Geroy Simon in the first half as the Lions trailed just 13-10 at half-time. But backup Travis Lulay, playing behind a new offensive line that struggled, could accomplish little in the second half until he unleashed a 98-year touchdown pass – the longest of his career – to Simon just over two minutes left in the game.
“We got the loss, but I’m not going to pick on myself,” said Lulay. “I’m confident that if I’m up next week, I’ll be good to go.”
Lulay’s long TD pass to Simon was the most electric play of the night and came after some adversity. A few minutes earlier, he had fumbled while being sacked by Hawkins and the defensive lineman recovered the ball and ran for a 40-yard major. Then Lulay was sacked on his next play from scrimmage. But he got up and threw the TD on the following snap.
“The thing that I thought was good about it you got veteran downs,” said Lulay. “You’re finishing the game with a high. That shows you’re not going to quit, that shows some resilience, and that was good to see.”
Especially considering that he might have to start against the defending Grey Cup-champion Als.
“Every week, I’ve been checking all the stats, because you never know what could happen,” said Lulay. “I’ll prepare the same way this week.”
Casey Printers’ playing status is in doubt after he was sidelined with a quadrcips injury with 22 seconds left in the first half as the Lions lost their home opener 37-18 to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Printers said he injured his quad just before he was by Brent Hawkins.
“We’ll see,” said Printers when asked if he could play Friday against the Montreal Alouettes. “I just can’t give you a solid answer right now. Something weird kind of popped. It’s just kind of frustrating.”
Printers completed 10 of 14 passes and threaded a 32-yard touchdown pass between two defenders to Geroy Simon in the first half as the Lions trailed just 13-10 at half-time. But backup Travis Lulay, playing behind a new offensive line that struggled, could accomplish little in the second half until he unleashed a 98-year touchdown pass – the longest of his career – to Simon just over two minutes left in the game.
“We got the loss, but I’m not going to pick on myself,” said Lulay. “I’m confident that if I’m up next week, I’ll be good to go.”
Lulay’s long TD pass to Simon was the most electric play of the night and came after some adversity. A few minutes earlier, he had fumbled while being sacked by Hawkins and the defensive lineman recovered the ball and ran for a 40-yard major. Then Lulay was sacked on his next play from scrimmage. But he got up and threw the TD on the following snap.
“The thing that I thought was good about it you got veteran downs,” said Lulay. “You’re finishing the game with a high. That shows you’re not going to quit, that shows some resilience, and that was good to see.”
Especially considering that he might have to start against the defending Grey Cup-champion Als.
“Every week, I’ve been checking all the stats, because you never know what could happen,” said Lulay. “I’ll prepare the same way this week.”
Empire Field home opener mixes old and new
Empire struck back Saturday night.
For many fans and scribes of a certain vintage, the B.C. Lions’ 2010 CFL regular season home opener against the Saskatchewan Roughriders evoked memories of Empire Stadium.
With BC Place getting a new retractable roof and out of commission until 2011, the Lions are playing this season at temporary Empire Field, where Empire Stadium once stood. It was the Lions’ first outdoor home regular season game since November 6, 1982.
The first thing you noticed, aside from the scorching sun in the early going and clear blue sky until darkness fell, was the missing scoreboard. It used to hang over the south end stands and even, in the stadium’s final years, had a replay screen that was dodgy but ahead of its time. Now, the replay screen is of much better quality and rests over the north seats.
Other observations: The track, on which Britain’s Roger Bannister edge Australian John Landy ran their Miracle Mile at the 1954 Empire Games, is also gone, the dark green field was as flat as the Saskatchewan prairie – not like the old one with the crown in the middle and slight slopes on each side.
The end zones are much smaller and the fans much closer as a result. But roof support beams on each side still block views, making it difficult for Saskatchewan’s radio crew.
More seats spell higher stands in the north end zone, obstructing views of the North Shore mountains.
And, all of the seats have backs while all of the ones in Old Empire consisted of bleachers. But while Old Empire had a sense of openness, New – crammed – Empire feels like you’re sitting in a giant Bento box.
However, portable stands and all, the new place has an indescribable charm and an old-time aura of a packed house that the former facility failed to produce often – especially after the weakened east stands were condemned in its final years.
A lot has happened in the CFL since then. Don Matthews, first with B.C. and then with a host of other clubs, and Wally Buono, first with Calgary and then B.C. set all-time coaching records. Most of the league’s players careers came and went and a new generation of players merely entered the world. Many of Saturday’s participants were not born or were mere toddlers when the Lions last play outdoors at home.
However, as the presence of Dal Richards and his orchestra might have shown (although the Beefeater Band was nowhere to be seen), Saturday’s game at the New Empire was a testament – yet again – to the endurance of the CFL.
As occurred in the early 1980s, fathers took their sons to games, some moms and daughters went, too – along with grandparents. Next year, the new stadium will be gone – or maybe it won’t be, if political leaders wisen up to the importance of a large outdoor community facility on the PNE grounds.
Sometime in the future, kids will tell their kids about the year they went to New Empire one Saturday night, and something purely personal and highly meaningful happened. They will forget that the Lions played poorly in a 37-11 setback, although it will take Buono a while to get over the chance to win on an historic occasion.
“When you have a game like this in front of a sellout crowd, first game at Empire …,” he lamented afterwards.
Eventually, the bad plays will be erased by time, but the tradition of families going to games together will continue.
And, years from now, enabling that to happen, by mixing old and new with a special twist, will be New Empire’s biggest contribution to the B.C. Lions and CFL in 2010.
For many fans and scribes of a certain vintage, the B.C. Lions’ 2010 CFL regular season home opener against the Saskatchewan Roughriders evoked memories of Empire Stadium.
With BC Place getting a new retractable roof and out of commission until 2011, the Lions are playing this season at temporary Empire Field, where Empire Stadium once stood. It was the Lions’ first outdoor home regular season game since November 6, 1982.
The first thing you noticed, aside from the scorching sun in the early going and clear blue sky until darkness fell, was the missing scoreboard. It used to hang over the south end stands and even, in the stadium’s final years, had a replay screen that was dodgy but ahead of its time. Now, the replay screen is of much better quality and rests over the north seats.
Other observations: The track, on which Britain’s Roger Bannister edge Australian John Landy ran their Miracle Mile at the 1954 Empire Games, is also gone, the dark green field was as flat as the Saskatchewan prairie – not like the old one with the crown in the middle and slight slopes on each side.
The end zones are much smaller and the fans much closer as a result. But roof support beams on each side still block views, making it difficult for Saskatchewan’s radio crew.
More seats spell higher stands in the north end zone, obstructing views of the North Shore mountains.
And, all of the seats have backs while all of the ones in Old Empire consisted of bleachers. But while Old Empire had a sense of openness, New – crammed – Empire feels like you’re sitting in a giant Bento box.
However, portable stands and all, the new place has an indescribable charm and an old-time aura of a packed house that the former facility failed to produce often – especially after the weakened east stands were condemned in its final years.
A lot has happened in the CFL since then. Don Matthews, first with B.C. and then with a host of other clubs, and Wally Buono, first with Calgary and then B.C. set all-time coaching records. Most of the league’s players careers came and went and a new generation of players merely entered the world. Many of Saturday’s participants were not born or were mere toddlers when the Lions last play outdoors at home.
However, as the presence of Dal Richards and his orchestra might have shown (although the Beefeater Band was nowhere to be seen), Saturday’s game at the New Empire was a testament – yet again – to the endurance of the CFL.
As occurred in the early 1980s, fathers took their sons to games, some moms and daughters went, too – along with grandparents. Next year, the new stadium will be gone – or maybe it won’t be, if political leaders wisen up to the importance of a large outdoor community facility on the PNE grounds.
Sometime in the future, kids will tell their kids about the year they went to New Empire one Saturday night, and something purely personal and highly meaningful happened. They will forget that the Lions played poorly in a 37-11 setback, although it will take Buono a while to get over the chance to win on an historic occasion.
“When you have a game like this in front of a sellout crowd, first game at Empire …,” he lamented afterwards.
Eventually, the bad plays will be erased by time, but the tradition of families going to games together will continue.
And, years from now, enabling that to happen, by mixing old and new with a special twist, will be New Empire’s biggest contribution to the B.C. Lions and CFL in 2010.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Writing for Fanhouse as well as CP
The Stanley Cup and WHL playoffs are keeping me busy these days as I write for The Canadian Press and Fanhouse. Check out some of my Fanhouse posts via the link below.
http://nhl.fanhouse.com/
Here's something I wrote recently on Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings for CP.
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/2010/04/23/13696971-cp.html
http://nhl.fanhouse.com/
Here's something I wrote recently on Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings for CP.
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/2010/04/23/13696971-cp.html
Friday, March 19, 2010
Johnson's rare goal sinks Sharks
Ryan Johnson could not have picked a better time to score.
The Vancouver Canucks checking specialist netted his first goal in 82 games Thursday night. It also happened to be the winner as the Canucks edged the Sharks 3-2 at General Motors Place.
“I’ve wanted to bury one,” said Johnson. “But like I’ve always said, I’d rather have a big one, and it was.”
Johnson's second-period marker, which gave the Canucks an insurmountable 3-1 lead, was his first goal since January of 2009 against Nashville. It helped the Canucks redeem themselves after an embarrassing 5-2 loss to the lowly New York Islanders on Tuesday.
“After a disappointing effort against the Islanders, we knew that this was a big game for us to get back to the basics,” said Johnson. “We did a lot of things not very well in that game, and I thought tonight we got back to the identity of the team we are, that goes on the attack and makes a lot of teams play in their own zone for critical time.”
Johnson also re-established his identity as a role player who could score timely goals, which he was not able to do while suffering from two fractured feet that have limited him to 49 games this season.“By no means am I ever going to judge myself as a stats guy who looks at all the numbers,” said Johnson. “I know the little things that I do well throughout a game and the value that I bring to the team. At the same time, I’d be lying to you if I said I didn’t want to chip in, because I know I’m very capable of it and have the ability to do it.”
He was feeling refreshed after the Olympic break allowed him to recover more fully. He has played hurt most of the season.
“Physically, I needed to get my feet back,” said Johnson. “In hindsight, playing through what I was playing through was really stupid, and I certainly learned something from that side of things. It hurt myself. It was hurting my line. It was not hurting the team in that sense, but I was not myself and what they needed me to be.”
He was also his usual checking self as he kept San Jose's top line of Canadian Olympians Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley off the scoresheet. The Thunder Bay, Ont., native hopes his fourth line can produce another timely goal when the Canucks enter the playoffs.
“We have the ability to do it,” said Johnson. “We’re going to have to do it.”
The Vancouver Canucks checking specialist netted his first goal in 82 games Thursday night. It also happened to be the winner as the Canucks edged the Sharks 3-2 at General Motors Place.
“I’ve wanted to bury one,” said Johnson. “But like I’ve always said, I’d rather have a big one, and it was.”
Johnson's second-period marker, which gave the Canucks an insurmountable 3-1 lead, was his first goal since January of 2009 against Nashville. It helped the Canucks redeem themselves after an embarrassing 5-2 loss to the lowly New York Islanders on Tuesday.
“After a disappointing effort against the Islanders, we knew that this was a big game for us to get back to the basics,” said Johnson. “We did a lot of things not very well in that game, and I thought tonight we got back to the identity of the team we are, that goes on the attack and makes a lot of teams play in their own zone for critical time.”
Johnson also re-established his identity as a role player who could score timely goals, which he was not able to do while suffering from two fractured feet that have limited him to 49 games this season.“By no means am I ever going to judge myself as a stats guy who looks at all the numbers,” said Johnson. “I know the little things that I do well throughout a game and the value that I bring to the team. At the same time, I’d be lying to you if I said I didn’t want to chip in, because I know I’m very capable of it and have the ability to do it.”
He was feeling refreshed after the Olympic break allowed him to recover more fully. He has played hurt most of the season.
“Physically, I needed to get my feet back,” said Johnson. “In hindsight, playing through what I was playing through was really stupid, and I certainly learned something from that side of things. It hurt myself. It was hurting my line. It was not hurting the team in that sense, but I was not myself and what they needed me to be.”
He was also his usual checking self as he kept San Jose's top line of Canadian Olympians Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley off the scoresheet. The Thunder Bay, Ont., native hopes his fourth line can produce another timely goal when the Canucks enter the playoffs.
“We have the ability to do it,” said Johnson. “We’re going to have to do it.”
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Canucks add to Sens' woes
If you're looking for an example of an enigma, look no further than the Ottawa Senators.
The Vancouver Canucks, playing at home for the first time since before the 2010 Winter Olympics, whipped the Sens 5-1 on Saturday night in a game that was over after Alex Burrows scored a shorthanded goal midway through the second period.
“That was the turning point, the shorthanded goal against,” said steely-eyed Ottawa coach Cory Clouston, trying hard to stifle his anger. “It just seemed to really deflate us. We had started to gain some momentum and that took it away from us.”
The Olympic break has had a similar effect.
The Sens were cruising along before the Games began, posting an 11-game win streak and winning 14 of 16. However, they have won just one of their six games since the NHL season resumed.
“We can’t rest on our laurels on what we did before the break,” said Jason Spezza, who scored Ottawa's lone goal Saturday. “It’s time to start peaking and getting ready for the playoffs. If we don’t watch it, the teams are going to be coming pretty quick. That’s something we definitely need to address.”
Spezza's goal three minutes into the second helped the Senators briefly forge a 1-1 tie after the Canucks outshot Ottawa 17-2 in the first period but could only beat goaltender Pascal Leclaire once. Leclaire hesitated a little bit when Ryan Kesler lofted a lead pass that landed in no man's land between him and an onrushing Burrows.
The Ottawa goaltender started to come out for the puck but then, respecting Burrows' speed, retreated to his net. Leclaire could not recover in time – and neither could the Sens.
“We get outplayed in the first period, we come back and make it 1-1 and then we give up a shorty,” said Spezza. “After that, we’re not even in the game.”
Now, they have to salvage a season and rediscover their once potent offence that has dried up.
“I can’t put my finger on anything specific, but obviously we’ve got things to work on,” said Sens captain Daniel Alfredsson. “We know we have to be a lot better going down the stretch. We’re definitely not where we want to be right now.”
The Vancouver Canucks, playing at home for the first time since before the 2010 Winter Olympics, whipped the Sens 5-1 on Saturday night in a game that was over after Alex Burrows scored a shorthanded goal midway through the second period.
“That was the turning point, the shorthanded goal against,” said steely-eyed Ottawa coach Cory Clouston, trying hard to stifle his anger. “It just seemed to really deflate us. We had started to gain some momentum and that took it away from us.”
The Olympic break has had a similar effect.
The Sens were cruising along before the Games began, posting an 11-game win streak and winning 14 of 16. However, they have won just one of their six games since the NHL season resumed.
“We can’t rest on our laurels on what we did before the break,” said Jason Spezza, who scored Ottawa's lone goal Saturday. “It’s time to start peaking and getting ready for the playoffs. If we don’t watch it, the teams are going to be coming pretty quick. That’s something we definitely need to address.”
Spezza's goal three minutes into the second helped the Senators briefly forge a 1-1 tie after the Canucks outshot Ottawa 17-2 in the first period but could only beat goaltender Pascal Leclaire once. Leclaire hesitated a little bit when Ryan Kesler lofted a lead pass that landed in no man's land between him and an onrushing Burrows.
The Ottawa goaltender started to come out for the puck but then, respecting Burrows' speed, retreated to his net. Leclaire could not recover in time – and neither could the Sens.
“We get outplayed in the first period, we come back and make it 1-1 and then we give up a shorty,” said Spezza. “After that, we’re not even in the game.”
Now, they have to salvage a season and rediscover their once potent offence that has dried up.
“I can’t put my finger on anything specific, but obviously we’ve got things to work on,” said Sens captain Daniel Alfredsson. “We know we have to be a lot better going down the stretch. We’re definitely not where we want to be right now.”
Monday, March 1, 2010
Iginla excels again eight years later
Post-Olympic blog items that will never grow up to be columns . . .
Jarome Iginla withstood a test of time Sunday. Iginla's assist on Sidney Crosby's winning goal in overtime as Canada claimed the Olympic gold medal with a 3-2 victory over the United States, evoked memories of Salt Lake City eight years earlier, when he scored two goals in another golden triumph over Uncle Sam's team. To play in three different Winter Olympics is an accomplishment in itself. To figure in gold medal wins eight years apart ranks as a rare feat. Iginla, who led the 2010 Winter Games in goal scoring, has another Olympic gold to go along with a world championship at the senior level; two world junior crowns, when he was also a dominant player; and two Memorial Cup crowns. Now, he just needs another Stanley Cup, although he did help his Calgary Flames reach the 2004 finals, only to lose in seven games to Tampa Bay. Unfortunately, the way things are going for Calgary, it might take the Flames another eight years to get back there.
* * *
Women's hockey players can play the game like men, but they are not allowed to celebrate gold medals the same way. The International Olympic Committee pooh-poohed on Canada's gold-medal-winning femal squad after players celebrated by smoking cigars and getting crazy enough for one to try and drive a Zamboni. The celebration was not in public, but a wily photographer caught some of the antics. (Which just goes to prove that the camera, not the pen, is mightier than the sword.) Never mind countless tales of Stanley Cup champions doing zany things with Lord Stanley's chalice when they take it back to their hometowns every summer. The IOC likes to talk about doing its thing for gender equality. (And, a big hello to you, too, lady ski jumpers!) But, when push comes to shove, Olympic power brokers would probably prefer that women athletes just go home, cook and make babies for their men folk after getting this thing for competition out of their systems.
* * *
If you build it, they will come.
Medals, that is.
Canada did not own the podium, because no country truly does. The absurd slogan for an even more ridiculously-marketed program was rightly panned during the Vancouver Games. Some Canadian political types thought a bit of government money (which you can bet your last loonie will not be available for the next quadrennial) would help us conquer the world in just four years. Canadians did set a record for gold medal victories during a Winter Olympics, but only because the athletes had facilities where they could train. Medals (gold or otherwise) in bobsled, speedskating and freestyle skiing, among other sports, can be traced to facilities that were built for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.
These facilities also spawned programs and dreams that spawned medal winners. (For proof on the dreams claim, look up Hughes, Clara.) Money always helps, but the truth is that medals take decades to produce.
Alex Bilodeau, the first athlete to win a gold medal on Canadian soil, was right when he said more would come during the 2010 Games. And even more will come in the future, because many of the world-class athletes that you see now will become world-class coaches and world-class sport association leaders that Canada never had before. In addition to them, the legacy will be in the facilities that do not become white elephants like the ski jumps at Canada Olympic Park, since Vancouver will not produce the same athlete-development fund that the profitable Calgary Games did.
* * *
Thumbs down to the IOC for not making more of an effort to raise the profile of Right to Play during the Games. The organization goes out of its way to make sure that kids in wartorn and poverty-stricken regions just have a chance to play pick-up games of soccer and other playground games. Sponsorship politics got in the way of doing good deeds for kids who face more hurdles than even an Olympic champion can imagine. Right to Play has a major sponsor that is a rival to one of the official Olympic supporters. The right thing would have been to highlight Right to Play without playing up the sponsorship angle. Right to Play agreed to such a plan, but the pooh bahs did not.
* * *
Kudos to Hughes for giving her $10,000 bonus from the federal government for winning a bronze to a group on Vancouver's poverty-stricken Downtown Eastside that promotes physical activity. Who's willing to bet that Ottawa probably does not give that much to the group. Her unselfishness again has spoken volumes. Hughes probably has more cash these days than she did when she donated 10 grand to Right to Play from her own bank account four years ago. But most Olympic dream chasers do not have deep pockets at the best of times. Which makes you wonder what the Tories could have done if they had used the money for Prime Minister Stephen Harper's vacation in Vancouver on athletic development instead.
* * *
Quick, somebody give Alex Burrows a Swedish passport. As they did for many years with the Vancouver Canucks, Daniel and Henrik Sedin were in desperate need of a gifted linemate during the Olympics. Burrows has proved to be the answer with the Canucks. Now, if he can just learn a little Swedish and apply for citizenship . . .
* * *
Still in the linemates department: Pavol Demitra showed what he can do when he has real talent (Marian Hossa, etc.) playing alongside him with Slovakia during the Olympics. Despite missing most of the NHL season because of shoulder surgery, Demitra dominated as Slovakia came within Roberto Luongo's glove length of upsetting Canada in their semi-final. The speculation has already started on how long the likes of Darcy Hordichuk, Tanner Glass and Steve Bernier with last as Demitra's linemates with the Canucks. At any rate, Demitra increased his trade value before Wednesday's deadline.
* * *
Calgary Flames coach Brent Sutter is probably wondering who he can get to play with Iginla, too. The Calgary captain proved that his recent struggles in the NHL can probably be attributed to a poor line combination. Let's hope Matt Stajan does a reasonably good Crosby impression.
Jarome Iginla withstood a test of time Sunday. Iginla's assist on Sidney Crosby's winning goal in overtime as Canada claimed the Olympic gold medal with a 3-2 victory over the United States, evoked memories of Salt Lake City eight years earlier, when he scored two goals in another golden triumph over Uncle Sam's team. To play in three different Winter Olympics is an accomplishment in itself. To figure in gold medal wins eight years apart ranks as a rare feat. Iginla, who led the 2010 Winter Games in goal scoring, has another Olympic gold to go along with a world championship at the senior level; two world junior crowns, when he was also a dominant player; and two Memorial Cup crowns. Now, he just needs another Stanley Cup, although he did help his Calgary Flames reach the 2004 finals, only to lose in seven games to Tampa Bay. Unfortunately, the way things are going for Calgary, it might take the Flames another eight years to get back there.
* * *
Women's hockey players can play the game like men, but they are not allowed to celebrate gold medals the same way. The International Olympic Committee pooh-poohed on Canada's gold-medal-winning femal squad after players celebrated by smoking cigars and getting crazy enough for one to try and drive a Zamboni. The celebration was not in public, but a wily photographer caught some of the antics. (Which just goes to prove that the camera, not the pen, is mightier than the sword.) Never mind countless tales of Stanley Cup champions doing zany things with Lord Stanley's chalice when they take it back to their hometowns every summer. The IOC likes to talk about doing its thing for gender equality. (And, a big hello to you, too, lady ski jumpers!) But, when push comes to shove, Olympic power brokers would probably prefer that women athletes just go home, cook and make babies for their men folk after getting this thing for competition out of their systems.
* * *
If you build it, they will come.
Medals, that is.
Canada did not own the podium, because no country truly does. The absurd slogan for an even more ridiculously-marketed program was rightly panned during the Vancouver Games. Some Canadian political types thought a bit of government money (which you can bet your last loonie will not be available for the next quadrennial) would help us conquer the world in just four years. Canadians did set a record for gold medal victories during a Winter Olympics, but only because the athletes had facilities where they could train. Medals (gold or otherwise) in bobsled, speedskating and freestyle skiing, among other sports, can be traced to facilities that were built for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.
These facilities also spawned programs and dreams that spawned medal winners. (For proof on the dreams claim, look up Hughes, Clara.) Money always helps, but the truth is that medals take decades to produce.
Alex Bilodeau, the first athlete to win a gold medal on Canadian soil, was right when he said more would come during the 2010 Games. And even more will come in the future, because many of the world-class athletes that you see now will become world-class coaches and world-class sport association leaders that Canada never had before. In addition to them, the legacy will be in the facilities that do not become white elephants like the ski jumps at Canada Olympic Park, since Vancouver will not produce the same athlete-development fund that the profitable Calgary Games did.
* * *
Thumbs down to the IOC for not making more of an effort to raise the profile of Right to Play during the Games. The organization goes out of its way to make sure that kids in wartorn and poverty-stricken regions just have a chance to play pick-up games of soccer and other playground games. Sponsorship politics got in the way of doing good deeds for kids who face more hurdles than even an Olympic champion can imagine. Right to Play has a major sponsor that is a rival to one of the official Olympic supporters. The right thing would have been to highlight Right to Play without playing up the sponsorship angle. Right to Play agreed to such a plan, but the pooh bahs did not.
* * *
Kudos to Hughes for giving her $10,000 bonus from the federal government for winning a bronze to a group on Vancouver's poverty-stricken Downtown Eastside that promotes physical activity. Who's willing to bet that Ottawa probably does not give that much to the group. Her unselfishness again has spoken volumes. Hughes probably has more cash these days than she did when she donated 10 grand to Right to Play from her own bank account four years ago. But most Olympic dream chasers do not have deep pockets at the best of times. Which makes you wonder what the Tories could have done if they had used the money for Prime Minister Stephen Harper's vacation in Vancouver on athletic development instead.
* * *
Quick, somebody give Alex Burrows a Swedish passport. As they did for many years with the Vancouver Canucks, Daniel and Henrik Sedin were in desperate need of a gifted linemate during the Olympics. Burrows has proved to be the answer with the Canucks. Now, if he can just learn a little Swedish and apply for citizenship . . .
* * *
Still in the linemates department: Pavol Demitra showed what he can do when he has real talent (Marian Hossa, etc.) playing alongside him with Slovakia during the Olympics. Despite missing most of the NHL season because of shoulder surgery, Demitra dominated as Slovakia came within Roberto Luongo's glove length of upsetting Canada in their semi-final. The speculation has already started on how long the likes of Darcy Hordichuk, Tanner Glass and Steve Bernier with last as Demitra's linemates with the Canucks. At any rate, Demitra increased his trade value before Wednesday's deadline.
* * *
Calgary Flames coach Brent Sutter is probably wondering who he can get to play with Iginla, too. The Calgary captain proved that his recent struggles in the NHL can probably be attributed to a poor line combination. Let's hope Matt Stajan does a reasonably good Crosby impression.
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